Shave it off or just let it come out?

Hair Loss during chemo
Hi Nancy,

I had been forewarned that my hair would fall out during chemo and indeed it did. I figured it would be easier going from short hair to no hair so I started out by cutting my shoulder length hair short (like Halle Berry). On precisely Day 14 I ran my fingers through my hair absent-mindedly and came away with a handful of hair. It took about another 2 weeks until it looked completely ridiculous. At that point I had my husband shave off the rest of it. It was very hard. It took several weeks before I could look in the mirror without crying. I think if you just let it come out on its own you look very strange and have more of that "cancer patient" look. On the other hand it sure makes showering go more quickly. A little soap on the scalp and you are done. I alternated between wearing a wig, head scarf or hats depending on where I was going and what the weather was like. You just have to do what suits you best. There is no one answer to this issue. Good luck.

I shaved it
I took command and I shaved my head after my second chemo treatment. I did not want to let the cancer bring down my self esteem. Besides, there are tons of wonderful hats, scarfs, etc. I'm not a wig person. And my reward, when this is all over, is my own grown hair in the end. Being strong and positive is very important when you are fighting cancer. Good Luck and God Bless you.

When I started chemo, I had
When I started chemo, I had my long hair cut short. When it started falling out, I had my head shaved at my hair stylist (who absolutely refused to charge me, bless her heart). I tried different wigs, but never really found one I liked. I stuck to scarves and hats. I found lots of cool ways to tie scarves on the internet. People gave me so many beautiful hats and scarves. I had a favorite soft hat that I wore at night (because my scalp was always cold!). Two and a half years have passed and my hair has grown back; it all feels like a dream. xoxoxox Lynn

shaved it!
Hey Nancy!

You've heard this before but I'll say it again, we're all different. That being said, I shaved mine. I was told it would probably come out - 99.9% chance. The first thing I did was cancel my appointment for a perm and ask my stylist to come up with a short hair cut to prepare the way. On the morning of my 2nd treatment I "squeezed" the water out of my hair and came away with hair! (I was told it wouldn't happen until later.) I had a friend give me a buzz cut but just as some predicted, it HURT coming out. I soon tired of that and got in the shower with my shave gel and a mirror and shaved it all off. It felt good to be in charge and good not to have the pain of the fallout. I did all three - hats, scarves, and wig, but tried not to wear anything aroudn the house and to take really good care of my scalp. My hair started to come back in while I was still on the Taxotere (had already done 4 rounds of A/C cocktail.) It came back in just as thinck as it was before, a little bit darker, and wavy. I've had it trimmed once to even up the length and deal with the "fly-away" stuff. My stylist already has plans for a new style for me, shorter than before, but that's okay 'cause it's much easier to care for and dry now. It's your decision, so be comfortable with what you decide. I wouldn't change what I did, I wanted to be in control.

cavediver said:

I chose to shave it off...
For me...I decided to shave it off completely...privately.... I did not cry or even feel upset...it was just something that was going to happen and I guess I felt I took control of it. The stubs hurt...so I used duct tape to remove them :-) Every time I passed a mirror for days I got 'shocked', but that soon passed. I understand that it is different for everyone...some of us get really upset over the loosing of the hair...for whatever reason I was not so upset (but I had for years had an extremely short hairstyle, maybe that helped too). The no hair on the legs was very nice....loved not shaving the legs :-)

You're right
I used shipping tape at first to remove the stubble but gave up and shaved it instead. You're lucky, I still had hair on my legs to keep shaving. Not as often but still needed to shave. Underarms went early though.

First time all but about 5
First time all but about 5 areas the size of about a nickel fell out overnight and the next morning in a hotel shower. My son shaved the rest with a bic.
This time around, it starting coming out in handfuls in the shower, so my other son took out the clippers and shaved it. I still have some fuzz and clean it up from time to time. This time I cried a little after the fact, but it sure is easier.
Went to shave my legs before a massage and there was no hair!! Now that I did not cry over!

Do whatever, no right or wrong way!
~Carol

VickiSam said:

If you decide to shave your head .. Please use a
shaver, rather than razor. As a razor nick your scalp, and if let untreated cause an infection.

Wash, rinse and condition your newly 'bald' scalp. If going outdoors, please use sun screen or a cap for protection.

Myself, I ended up getting sun burn on my newly bald scalp, just by going outdoors for a few minutes and picking up doggie do.. True story!

If you get chilly at night, use a wool or cotton cap to sleep in.

Good luck you brave, dear Sisters in Pink.

Vicki Sam

scalp care
I continued to use shampoo and conditioner on my scalp throughout the process and used moisturizer on my scalp every day until the fuzz got too long and all it did was make a mess. ALWAYS wore something outside! You have to take good care of the newly exposed skin!

Shave baby, shave
Shaved mine. Husband said something crazy and I reached up there and pulled 2 handfuls of hair out and told him, "I could just pull my hair out." He was'nt ammused, but I thought it was funny.
We buzzed ot off. I placed most of it in the trees for the birda to make their nests from. It disapeared pretty quick. Kept some for a memento. Wear sunscreen, or a hat. That is some virgin scalp you'll have. Be brave and prayers to you.

skipper54 said:

hats, wigs, scarves, and WRAPS
I had a friend tell me about using wraps, sort of like a turban but not complicated to do. She got, and had me get, a yard of cotton jersey (or knit), cut it in half for 2 wraps. Then fold it in half and put it on like a bandanna, except that you only knot once then pull the "tail" up and knot over that and tuck in the ends. I started chemo in July so this was much cooler than hats or wigs. I wore hats sometimes but the knit wraps could be lots of fun 'cause I found some really neat prints - things like black & white background with pink flowers, leopard etc. If you've got to go through it why not have some fun?!

almost forgot
Oh yeah, I almost forgot. (blame it on chemo brain) Wear dangling earrings with your scarves, hats, etc. It helps to draw attention away from your head. I had some real fun shopping for earrings too - nothing expensive because I wasn't sure I'd keep wearing them but I have just because they were fun and my hair is still so short.

I"ve had lots of people say I should keep my short hairstyle. Time will tell.